2013 Recap Series – DEATHS IN 2013 By @SaintVinny

2013 is such a year when one takes a seat and a paper and count losses. While everyone is important and would be missed by countless of loved ones scattered around the globe, a few people who truly touched the world in very delicate places passed on in 2013, from Nigeria to the world at large. And it would go down in memory to be one of the most shocking years ever, not so much of regrets but certain preparation of minds for the worst. No one is truly prepared for death, I guess, not even the dead or the lover of the deceased.

GOLDIE’S DEATH

Goldie Harvey, a lady who graced our television screens as the African version of Lady Gaga died tragically of a heart failure in February, shortly after returning from an event in LA. Goldie until her death had been the energetic lady who had redefined pop music and appeared on the Big Brother Africa show. Her death had lot speculations until an autopsy was released. Young, her death became a threat to young people and the music industry in Nigeria. She would be so missed. One of the pained people has found it difficult to cope with the reality is the VJ, Derenle, a close friend of her.

Also shocking was the passing of Justus Esiri, the legendary actor of the Village Headmaster series. Justus’ death was a shock to a lot of his fans. The father of the pop star, Dr. Sid fell ill briefly and the wind of death for 2013 took him in the flight. He would be missed greatly by family and viewers.

Also in 2013, the world woke up to great shock at the death of the father of modern African literature. Chinua Achebe had singlehandedly shaped the sphere of literature in the world and the perception of the white man against what was written by pro-imperialist writers. Chief of these writers was Joseph Conrad who Achebe had written about in an essay entitled “An Image of Africa in Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness.” in His first book of fiction entitled Things Fall Apart, a classic text; he dramatized the fallen apart of the intricate of the African man and his society when the white man appeared on the scene. The book, not being a hater of the white man but his ideologies as upheld by white imperialists, rather points to the fact that however imperfect, the Africans led a life, and the presence of the white man and his sublime tendencies to loot its natural resources played a key role in kicking erected virtues and his calling it barbaric killed the principles on which it existed.

Chinua Achebe, the poet, prose writer, essayist, lecturer and visionary died outside Nigeria and the news kept the faces of those who admired his works and his philosophies in a sad state for a very long time. Achebe’s place as a man and the African son who kept its fire ablaze would be missed terribly.

In another pathetic phase, the poet, Kofi Awoonor, a former Ghana Ambassador to the UN and elder state’s man, died in Kenya when terrorist seized a mall and murdered tens of people. Kofi Awoonor who had been in Kenya as a guest in a literary event died in the hospital after sustaining bullet injuries from terrorists who had opened fire at shoppers. One of his sons was seriously injured too in the attack. I was privileged to be in Accra during the incident and I saw the streets and the faces of some of his former students. Truly, Kofi would have stayed a little longer if not for what has plagued Africa in term of terrorism.

Paul walker

Paul Walker, to movie lovers means a lot of things. He is handsome and a good actor who is loved. The star of the Fast and Furious movie series died in a car crash in November, 2013. He was burnt to death. Motion pictures released showed the gory nature of his death. Friends and colleagues took to Twitter to express their sadness and love for the actor who they described in very fantastic words. Tyrese, a singer and actor, wept openly when he visited the site of the crash. He sure would be missed.

Nelson Mandela has become a god in Africa. He symbolises meekness and endurance. He represents steadfastness and victory. He was imprisoned for 27 years for a cause he so dearly held close to his heart. His death came a bit as a shock, since he had been discharged from the hospital. Nelson Mandela who fought Apartheid with his mind and gifting would forever be missed by the South African people and the world, especially blacks who were subjected to modern day slavery by the 30 percent white population in South Africa. His death was transmitted both on news and musical channels. Nelson Mandela is not just a figure of anti-Apartheid struggle but an image of hope and overcoming for the youths. His memorial service was well attended by world leaders. President Barack Obama gave a scintillating tribute and described him in beautiful words.

bisi komolafe

Bisi Komolafe was known in the movie industry. NOLLYWOOD was thrown into mourning following the news of the death of popular Yoruba actress and producer, Bisi Komolafe, who died at the University College Hospital (UCH).

The social media, especially Twitter and Facebook had been awash with different reports of her death. Sources gathered that Bisi passed on at exactly 3.00a.m. in the presence of her family members.

Bisi had been battling with an unconfirmed illness that was said to have kept her in and out of hospital for more than three months. The actress had informed some of her close friends in the industry of her sickness and demanded that she should be taken to Ibadan.

TUNJI OKUSANYA SNR.

Tunji Okusanya MIC Boss, who died in the Associated Airline plane crash that occurred on the 3rd of October, 2013. He was was buried at Vaults and Gardens Ikoyi on Monday November 18th amid tears.

Associated Airline Plane Crash It was reported by the Nigeria National Emergency Management Agency said that the aircraft crashed after taking off from the city’s airport on October 3rd, 2013. The plane had 20 passengers on board, inclusive of crew.

Father U turn

Father U Turn Olufemi Mayomi, popularly called Father U-Turn dies at the age of 36.

Although some reports suggested that the artiste died of kidney-related complications, a statement by the Publisher of Nigerian Entertainment News, Ayeni Adekunle, indicated that Father U-Turn died after a brief illness. Father U-Turn shot into limelight after releasing a song titled ‘Yetunde,’ in which he featured popular fuji act, Pasuma Wonder.

He was also respected for other hit songs like ‘African Culture’ and ‘Shakara’.